Terry Reed, 66, was found guilty on May 6 of sexually abusing two minors who moved into his Louisiana home as troubled teenagers seeking a father figure. The conviction marks the third time the suburban New Orleans pastor has been found guilty of child sexual abuse.
One victim, age 16, moved into Reed's Terrytown home in August 2021 after his relationship with his mother deteriorated. Reed sexually abused the boy on multiple occasions before the teenager reported him to authorities in 2023. The second victim, also 16 when he moved in, came forward after Reed's arrest to report years of repeated abuse dating back to May 2011.
A Jefferson Parish jury deliberated less than an hour before returning guilty verdicts on two counts each of third-degree rape and molestation of a juvenile. Prosecutors documented Reed's use of scripture to "manipulate, normalize and justify" his sexual behavior with the victims.
Reed's defense crumbled under scrutiny. He initially claimed medical problems had left him celibate for a decade, then argued any sexual contact occurred after the victims reached Louisiana's age of consent at 17. Prosecutor Eric Cusimano told jurors that Reed "held himself out to be a saint" to his congregation while being "the worst kind of predator" behind closed doors.
Prosecutor James Wascom documented a clear pattern. "He preyed on these very, very troubled boys who don't have a father figure in their lives," Wascom told the jury, describing Reed's calculated selection of vulnerable adolescents seeking male mentorship.
The conviction is Reed's third. He pleaded guilty in 1997 to indecent behavior with a juvenile and again in 2017 to molestation of a juvenile, receiving probation in both cases. In the 2017 case, he told his victim that submitting to sexual acts would help him "fight off demons."
Sentencing is scheduled for June 18 before Jefferson Parish Judge Raymond Steib. Reed faces up to 25 years for the rape convictions and between 5 and 40 years for the molestation convictions, potentially totaling four decades in prison.
A darker chapter emerged during investigation. Two boys, ages 12 and 13, died in a hot tub at Reed's home in 2002 from electrocution. Authorities could not determine whether their deaths were accidental, homicidal, or suicidal, leaving questions unanswered for two decades.
Reed is far from alone. High-profile cases of abuse by religious leaders have swept across American denominations. Christian missionary Daniel Savala pleaded guilty in Texas this week to abusing two boys and received 30 years without parole. Former Catholic priest Robert Esquivel was sentenced in Idaho in late April to 15 years for sexual battery of a minor.
Author James Rodriguez: "Three convictions, probation each time, and he kept doing it. The system had every chance to stop this man and failed these boys completely."
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